GUELLEH CALLS FOR AN END TO IRAQI AND PALESTINIAN

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000795 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF AND AF/E LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON DJ SUBJECT: GUELLEH CALLS FOR AN END TO IRAQI AND PALESTINIAN "OCCUPATION" ¶1. (U) After an official, public military parade commemorating Djibouti's Independence Day, June 27, President Ismail Omar Guelleh hosted a garden party for government officials, members of Parliament, diplomatic corps, and a large number of Djiboutians. During a speech at this event, Guelleh juxtaposed the freedom cherished by Djiboutians to "the occupation that still affects Iraq, Palestine, and other places around the world." Guelleh demanded "the oppression and occupation of the Iraqi and Palestinian people cease." On Somalia, he said the Somali people would once again "find the path of peace and dialogue." Guelleh told his audience that he "is awaiting positive outcomes from the last meeting between the Transitional Federal Government and the Islamic Courts Union in Khartoum, so the chaos of the war-torn country can come to an end." ¶2. (U) Guelleh said Djibouti's development process initiated in 1999 continues to ameliorate the life of Djiboutians. Education and health care for all will allow human development in the entire territory, he continued. Gender equality will also guarantee sustainable development, according to Guelleh. He also said that the government would do everything in its power to ensure the merging of regional economic poles, and the political objective of decentralization is "to satisfy the aspiration of all Djiboutians." ¶3. (U) Guelleh called upon Djiboutians to assist in the challenge of Djibouti hosting the 11th Summit of COMESA countries in November 2006, where 22 heads of state will be present. Guelleh stressed that this is the first time, since independence, that Djibouti is hosting such a large event. He pleaded for Djiboutians to give the best of what they have to offer: a welcoming tradition and hospitality. ¶4. (U) Speaking subsequently in Somali, Guelleh addressed a few words to Djibouti's youth, saying that gaining independence was not easy. He told the young generation that they need to face the current challenges in order to sustain the sacrifices made by their elders. He thanked former President Gouled and his colleagues whom, he said, "fought to give this country dignity." RAGSDALE